You know you're a real North Beach resident if you...

By SFGATE staff

on January 6, 2014 7:00 AM

You know you're from North Beach if you... titlecard Photo-10465293.74765 - GreenwichTime

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Browse the postcard collection at Specs, know the bar's full name and have some of the establishment's business cards with lines like “Madam, the gentleman prefers to sulk in silence” or “Sir, the lady is not interested in your company.”

Browse the postcard collection at Specs, know the bar's full name and have some of the establishment's business cards with lines like “Madam, the gentleman prefers to sulk in silence” or “Sir, the ... more

Know your way to the only SF bar that survived the 1906 earthquake (The Saloon on Grant, near Columbus).

Know your way to the only SF bar that survived the 1906 earthquake (The Saloon on Grant, near Columbus).

Photo: Adam Lau, The Chronicle

Know your way to the only SF bar that survived the 1906 earthquake... Photo-5510718.74765 - GreenwichTime

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Know a few entertaining stories involving the late Carol Doda (she helped launch the topless bar industry with her legendary endowments and then frequented North Beach bars until her passing). Bonus points if you've seen her strip at the Condor Club or sing at Gino and Carlo. (Photo of Carol Doda outside the Condor Club
on February 2, 1966.) less

Know a few entertaining stories involving the late Carol Doda (she helped launch the topless bar industry with her legendary endowments and then frequented North Beach bars until her passing). Bonus points if ... more

...but the Stinking Rose is just for people who don't mind smelling like garlic for days.

...but the Stinking Rose is just for people who don't mind smelling like garlic for days.

Photo: Christina Koci Hernandez, The Chronicle

...but the Stinking Rose is just for people who don't mind... Photo-5510735.74765 - GreenwichTime

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Know where to get the best fried dumplings in SF (Brandy Ho's or House of Nanking, pictured above.)

Know where to get the best fried dumplings in SF (Brandy Ho's or House of Nanking, pictured above.)

Photo: Ian C. Bates, The Chronicle

Know where to get the best fried dumplings in SF (Brandy Ho's... Photo-5510709.74765 - GreenwichTime

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You are used to regularly hearing the (super noisy) wild parrots.

You are used to regularly hearing the (super noisy) wild parrots.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

You are used to regularly hearing the (super noisy) wild... Photo-9650046.74765 - GreenwichTime

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Are an expert at Mikey dice, and your drink of choice is Fernet. (Suggested by Facebook user Lisa Farrell. Pictured: Gia Day taste-tests some Fernet but doesn't seem to enjoy it as much as a real North Beach resident would.) less

Are an expert at Mikey dice, and your drink of choice is Fernet. (Suggested by Facebook user Lisa Farrell. Pictured: Gia Day taste-tests some Fernet but doesn't seem to enjoy it as much as a real North Beach ... more

Photo: Craig Lee, The Chronicle

Are an expert at Mikey dice, and your drink of choice is Fernet.... Photo-5510706.74765 - GreenwichTime

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Can name all the alleys and in which direction they head. (Suggested by Facebook user Eric Tom.)

Can name all the alleys and in which direction they head. (Suggested by Facebook user Eric Tom.)

Photo: Katy Raddatz, The Chronicle

Can name all the alleys and in which direction they head.... Photo-5510712.74765 - GreenwichTime

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You've had either the hand-crafted chocolate eggs or famous Princess Cake from Victoria Pastry Co.

You've had either the hand-crafted chocolate eggs or famous Princess Cake from Victoria Pastry Co.

Photo: PAUL CHINN, SFC

You've had either the hand-crafted chocolate eggs or famous... Photo-10887197.74765 - GreenwichTime

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You’ve almost gone into the Church of Scientology building to take that tour so many times.

You’ve almost gone into the Church of Scientology building to take that tour so many times.

Photo: Dylan Entelis, The Chronicle

You’ve almost gone into the Church of Scientology building to... Photo-10886602.74765 - GreenwichTime

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You take cash everywhere because none of your favorite bars accept a credit card.

You take cash everywhere because none of your favorite bars accept a credit card.

Enjoy the music emanating from the Condor Club when the windows are down on warm days.

Enjoy the music emanating from the Condor Club when the windows are down on warm days.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

Enjoy the music emanating from the Condor Club when the windows are... Photo-7499717.74765 - GreenwichTime

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Have hung out in the Poetry Room at City Lights with Lawrence Ferlinghetti.

Have hung out in the Poetry Room at City Lights with Lawrence Ferlinghetti.

Photo: Christina Koci Hernandez, The Chronicle

Have hung out in the Poetry Room at City Lights with Lawrence... Photo-5510717.74765 - GreenwichTime

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And have also probably bought a book from City Lights and read it upstairs at Vesuvio Cafe.

And have also probably bought a book from City Lights and read it upstairs at Vesuvio Cafe.

Photo: PAUL SAKUMA

And have also probably bought a book from City Lights and read it... Photo-2166258.74765 - GreenwichTime

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Have been to Beach Blanket Babylon (pictured) or saw a Cockettes midnight show at the Palace.

Have been to Beach Blanket Babylon (pictured) or saw a Cockettes midnight show at the Palace.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

Have been to Beach Blanket Babylon (pictured) or saw a Cockettes... Photo-5510719.74765 - GreenwichTime

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Have a favorite rooftop spot to watch the Blue Angels and July 4th fireworks.

Have a favorite rooftop spot to watch the Blue Angels and July 4th fireworks.

Photo: Michael Macor, The Chronicle

Have a favorite rooftop spot to watch the Blue Angels and July 4th... Photo-5510722.74765 - GreenwichTime

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Have ended a weeknight at Mr. Bing's that included a random conversation with a stranger.

Have ended a weeknight at Mr. Bing's that included a random conversation with a stranger.

Photo: Yue Wu, The Chronicle

Have ended a weeknight at Mr. Bing's that included a random... Photo-5510731.74765 - GreenwichTime

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Used to stumble home from the WashBag back in the day. (The Washington Square Bar & Grill closed in 2010)

Used to stumble home from the WashBag back in the day. (The Washington Square Bar & Grill closed in 2010)

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

Used to stumble home from the WashBag back in the day. (The... Photo-5510723.74765 - GreenwichTime

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Have an opinion, probably a strong one, about the Telegraph Hill Dwellers neighborhood association. (Pictured, from left, are organization members Judy Irving, Vedica Puri, Lynn Sanchez and Jon Golinger in September) less

Have an opinion, probably a strong one, about the Telegraph Hill Dwellers neighborhood association. (Pictured, from left, are organization members Judy Irving, Vedica Puri, Lynn Sanchez and Jon Golinger in ... more

Photo: Pete Kiehart, The Chronicle

Have an opinion, probably a strong one, about the Telegraph Hill... Photo-5510725.74765 - GreenwichTime

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Know one of the North Beach authors featured in the 'Language of the Birds' art installation.

Know one of the North Beach authors featured in the 'Language of the Birds' art installation.

Photo: Lea Suzuki, The Chronicle

Know one of the North Beach authors featured in the 'Language... Photo-5510726.74765 - GreenwichTime

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Still can't believe there's no North Beach stop on the Central Subway line, despite the plan to house tunnel-boring machines at the old Pagoda site.

Still can't believe there's no North Beach stop on the Central Subway line, despite the plan to house tunnel-boring machines at the old Pagoda site.

Photo: Lea Suzuki, The Chronicle

Still can't believe there's no North Beach stop on the... Photo-5510727.74765 - GreenwichTime

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Get your coffee at the spot where Francis Ford Coppola wrote the script for The Godfather and many Beat poets also penned their works (Caffe Trieste).

Get your coffee at the spot where Francis Ford Coppola wrote the script for The Godfather and many Beat poets also penned their works (Caffe Trieste).

Photo: Penni Gladstone, The Chronicle

Get your coffee at the spot where Francis Ford Coppola wrote the... Photo-5510728.74765 - GreenwichTime

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Never go down to Fisherman's Wharf, but still hear the sea lions every day.

Never go down to Fisherman's Wharf, but still hear the sea lions every day.

Photo: Liz Hafalia, The Chronicle

Never go down to Fisherman's Wharf, but still hear the sea... Photo-5510729.74765 - GreenwichTime

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Didn't know what to do with yourself when Tosca Cafe closed for five months. (Here, Francis Ford Coppola talks with owner Jeannette Etheredge.)

Didn't know what to do with yourself when Tosca Cafe closed for five months. (Here, Francis Ford Coppola talks with owner Jeannette Etheredge.)

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

Didn't know what to do with yourself when Tosca Cafe closed... Photo-5510730.74765 - GreenwichTime

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Still miss the Embarcadero Freeway. (Suggested by SFGate commenter mrsinatra)

Still miss the Embarcadero Freeway. (Suggested by SFGate commenter mrsinatra)

Still call DiMaggio playground North Beach Playground, and remember Michelangelo being a cement park with a metal slide and a couple swings. (Suggested by Facebook user Charlotte Blaise Rollins on the North Beach News Facebook page.) less

Still call DiMaggio playground North Beach Playground, and remember Michelangelo being a cement park with a metal slide and a couple swings. (Suggested by Facebook user Charlotte Blaise Rollins on the North ... more

Were baptized at Sts. Peter and Paul, bought your school supplies at Reina's (now Rose Pistola's), your father and grandfather worked in the produce markets, and your grandparents arrived in North Beach around 1922 but never spoke a word of English, ever. (Suggested by SFGate commenter chiappe.) less

Were baptized at Sts. Peter and Paul, bought your school supplies at Reina's (now Rose Pistola's), your father and grandfather worked in the produce markets, and your grandparents arrived in North Beach around ... more